case studies

In Confessions class in sem. we were given case studies at the end of the year to write on as part of the final. I remember very specifically one of the questions being a baptism request from a parent with no intention of following through on any promises made to teach the child the creeds, etc...

I received a call this past week about baptizing the baby of a neighbor who lives right next to the church. We are having a discussion tomorrow morning and I have been thinking all weekend about how this will go. I feel a hard balance between being inviting, yet letting them know that it would be wonderful for the mother and child to join our community of faith. I don't think the answer is saying 'no' to doing the baptism, but I will ask some serious questions about why non-active parents are interested in baptizing their baby.

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Have I mentioned that the YMCA near us in Red Wing is wonderful? Of course it is a beautiful building and all, but they are doing and being what the church is all about. Let me explain...in the Evangelizing Church (A Lutheran Contribution), they take the traditional Word and Sacrament and transform it into Word, Sacrament, and Christian Community. They do this for some good reason and it is explained well in the book...this YMCA is a tight community and people really bond around the realm of caring for the body and soul. The staff they have there are welcoming and encouraging and most of the regulars know each other. What the Y surrounds itself around is people concerned for their health, but the conversations I have heard wander into all realms of life.

I am smashed by the parallels and the jealousy (honestly!) I feel by the environment they can create. Why is it that when I think about the church I feel three things. 1)there is this type of potential for the church, and 2)it could never be like this because church politics are rooted so deep we could never simply rally around one thing--the gospel, and 3)I question whether we have the energy to share love in Christ that we do for staying in shape.

That said, I love observing at the Y, and I think I like tha anonymity I feel there. Though, slowly as I get to meeting a few people they ask what I do and so that cat is partly out of the bag. I just hope they don't act wierd talking to me when they find out I am a pastor, unlike the dental hygenist this week--what do you say to a pastor anyways...???

Case studies...aahhh...

Paz